SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices dipped on Thursday, dragged down by weakening factory output in China and Japan and record U.S. crude output, although markets remained relatively well supported by supply cuts led by producer club OPEC.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian stocks struggled for traction on Thursday after cautious comments from U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer deflated some optimism that China and the United States were closing in on a trade deal.

BEIJING (Reuters) - Factory activity in China contracted for the third straight month in February as export orders fell to the lowest level since the global crisis, highlighting deepening cracks in an economy facing weak demand at home and abroad.

The first official gauge of China’s manufacturing sector in February showed activity contracting further, with a series of domestic holidays, the global slowdown and uncertainty from the trade war all likely playing a part.

TOKYO (Reuters) - Asian shares edged higher on Wednesday and the dollar fell to a three-week low after Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell reinforced the U.S. central bank’s recent shift toward a more “patient” approach on policy in the face of a slowing economy.

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - Oil prices rose on Wednesday after a report of declining crude inventories in the country and as producer club OPEC seemed to stick to its supply cuts despite pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump.